Shoe with sole providing a dynamic foot arch support

Abstract

The invention provides a shoe (1) with a sole providing a dynamic foot arch support, the shoe comprising a rubber outsole (9) and an upper (10), the shoe further comprises a midsole (2), the midsole comprising a harder elastic material (4), a softer elastic material (5), wherein the harder elastic material has elastic hardness in a range 1.3 to 3 times higher than the softer elastic material. The shoe is distinguished in that the harder elastic material is arranged in a band (3) inside the periphery of the midsole, wherein the softer elastic material (5) is arranged in the midsole inside the band of the harder elastic material, and the shoe further comprises: a support structure (8) arranged below the softer elastic material in direction medial to lateral and positioned from vertically below to 4 cm in front of the naviculare bone center of a typical user with feet fitting the shoe size, wherein the support structure has higher elastic hardness than the harder elastic material, with a larger vertical dimension medial compared to lateral as seen with the shoe standing on a horizontal surface, providing increased support under the medial side of the foot arch compared to the lateral side of the foot arch.

Claims

1. A shoe with a sole providing a dynamic foot arch support, the shoe comprising a rubber outsole and an upper, the shoe further comprises a midsole, the midsole comprising a harder elastic material; a softer elastic material; wherein the harder elastic material has elastic hardness in a range of 1.3 to 3 times higher than the softer elastic material; wherein the harder elastic material is arranged in a band inside a periphery of the midsole, wherein the band is wider on a medial side than a lateral side in a heel part of the midsole; wherein the softer elastic material is arranged in the midsole inside the band of the harder elastic material; a support structure arranged below the softer elastic material in a direction medial to lateral and adapted to be positioned from vertically below to 4 cm in front of a naviculare bone center of a user with feet fitting a shoe size; and wherein the support structure has higher elastic hardness than the harder elastic material, with a larger vertical dimension medial compared to lateral as seen with the shoe standing on a horizontal surface, providing increased support under the medial side of a foot arch compared to the lateral side of the foot arch.

2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is arranged in the rubber outsole.

3. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is arranged in between the rubber outsole and the midsole.

4. The shoe according to claim 1, comprising a further support structure in the form of a shank, wherein the shank is embedded in the softer elastic material of the midsole from the heel part to a forefoot.

5. The shoe according to claim 4, wherein the shank is twisted in a clockwise direction for a right foot midsole as seen from behind from the heel part to an intermediate part to a position adapted to be in front of the naviculare bone of the user, the twisting is at an angle 2 in a range of 1 to 10 from horizontal, and the shank, exclusive of any ribs, is 0.5-3 mm thick.

6. The shoe according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of a top surface of the midsole is inclined, wherein the midsole is higher on the medial side compared to the lateral side in the heel part and the intermediate part to a position adapted to be in front of the naviculare bone of the user, the inclination is at an angle 1 in a range of 1 to 7 from horizontal.

7. The shoe according to claim 6, wherein 21.

8. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein: the harder elastic material has a Shore A hardness range of 40-80; and the softer elastic material has a Shore A hardness range of 20-60.

9. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the softer elastic material over the support structure in a midfoot area of the midsole is lower than a thickness of the softer elastic material over the support structure in the heel part of the midsole.

10. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the band extends in a range of 0.1 to 1 times a thickness of the midsole inwards from the periphery along sides and the heel part of the midsole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a medial-lateral cross section through the heel region of a midsole of a shoe of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates an insert of a midsole of a shoe of the invention, in the form of a shank,

(3) FIG. 3 is a medial-lateral cross section through the midfoot region of a shoe of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a medial-lateral cross section through the forefoot region of a shoe of the invention,

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a shoe of the invention,

(6) FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section of a midsole of a shoe of the invention, on the lateral side, and

(7) FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of a midsole of a shoe of the invention, on the medial side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) The obligatory support structure of the shoe of the invention preferably is an archroller. A further support structure preferably is a shank, embedded in the softer elastic material in the midsole, the shank at least extending from the heel forwards to cover the full foot arch. The arch roller preferably is arranged as integrated into the rubber outsole. Alternatively, the archroller is arranged between the rubber outsole and the midsole, always with the shank above.

(9) More specifically, the shoe 1 of the invention preferably comprises an archroller 8 and a shank 6, wherein the archroller is integrated in the rubber outsole or arranged between the rubber outsole and a shank. The archroller is positioned in direction medial to lateral, directly under or slightly in front of the naviculare bone of a typical user with feet fitting the shoe size. Directly under or slightly in front of, in this context means from vertically below to 4 cm, or 0-3, 1-3 or about 2 cm in front of the naviculare bone center as projected vertically down. An alternative description of the location and orientation of the archroller, is that the archroller is under the center of the cuneiforme mediale, extending in medial-lateral direction across the sole, which for a shoe of size 39, as projected vertically down, is about 2.3 cm in front of the center of os naviculare.

(10) Reference is made to FIG. 1, illustrating a cross section medial to lateral of the heel region of a midsole 2 with rubber outsole 9 of a shoe 1 of the invention, for a right shoe midsole as seen from behind. A band 3 of the harder elastic material 4 extends inwards inside and along the periphery of the midsole. As clearly seen, the band is wider on the medial side M than on the lateral side L. The harder elastic material is also arranged on the lower part of the midsole, which lower part is attached to the rubber outsole. In the midsole, the softer elastic material 5 fills the midsole inside the band and over the lower part. Within the softer elastic material, a shank 6 can clearly be seen in cross section. It can be seen clearly, if the rubber outsole 9 is positioned on a horizontal surface, that the shank is turned clockwise, and that the top surface of the heel part of the midsole, the in substance even or flat parts thereof, excluding rims and edges, is inclined clockwise. The thickness of the softer elastic material over the medial side of the insert is 3 mm, while the thickness of the softer elastic material over the lateral side of the insert is about 5-6 mm, in the illustrated embodiment, at the chosen location for the cross-section. The cross-section location is vertically below a center of the cuboid of a typical user. Measured at a center or centerline of the shank, the thickness of the softer elastic material over the shank is 4.5 mm. Compared to the horizontal, parallel with the underside of the midsole, it can be seen clearly that the shank is twisted clockwise more than the top surface of the midsole is inclined clockwise. The shank is thicker on the medial side than on the lateral side, about 3 mm compared to 1.5 mm, respectively. On the underside of the shank, ribs 7 can be seen extending downwards. The shank is preferably located asymmetrical to the medial side in the softer elastic material with respect to a center of the softer elastic material, at least in the heel region of the midsole.

(11) The specific dimensions, angles and locations are typical examples only, for a size 39 shoe. For other shoe sizes, the dimensions are adjusted linearly. For other embodiments, or for other foot problems, the twisting of the insert and the inclination of the top surface of the midsole and the dimensions and quantities of materials will be different, for example in opposite directions, or to a larger or smaller extent.

(12) Further reference is made to FIG. 2, illustrating a shank 6, for embedding in a midsole in a shoe of the invention. The shank is twisted clockwise in the heel region and the midfoot region but is horizontal in the forefoot region of the shoe. This is easier seen in cross sections on FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, respectively, along the dashed lines 1-1, 3-3 and 4-4, respectively, of FIG. 2. Ribs 7 are visible only on said cross-sections. A support structure, in the form of a shank, preferably comprises holes (not illustrated), as anchoring points for molding, and slots 11 in longitudinal direction in at least the forefoot area, for bending stiffness reduction and anchoring.

(13) FIG. 3 illustrates a medial-lateral cross section through the midfoot region of a shoe of the invention. The shank, as well as the top surface of the midsole, are twisted clockwise, for a right shoe as seen from behind. The rubber outsole 9 has an archroller 8 integrated. On the medial side M, the archroller will touch the ground before the rest of the rubber outsole. The rubber outsole, and the integrated archroller, preferably has a hardness Shore A70, such as about 75, or Shore D30, such as about 35. The thickness of the softer elastic material 5 above the shank 6 is 0.6-2; 0.8-1.5; such as about 1 time the thickness of the shank excluding any ribs. The thickness of the softer elastic material 5 below the shank 6 is 0.6-2; 0.8-1.8; such as about 1.3 times the thickness of the shank excluding any ribs. The medial part of the shank is vertically above the medial part of the archroller. The softer and the harder elastic materials, constitute about 30-60%, or about 50% of the sole thickness. Accordingly, the elastic stiffness of the midsole in the midfoot area, particularly on the medial side, is relative higher than in the heel and forefoot area of the sole, since more of the thickness is formed by the relative stiffer material rubber outsole/archroller and shank.

(14) FIG. 4 illustrates a medial-lateral cross section through the forefoot region of a shoe of the invention. The thickness of the softer elastic material 5 above the shank 6 is 0.6-2; 0.7-1; such as about 0.8 times the thickness of the shank excluding any ribs. The thickness of the softer elastic material 5 below the shank 6 is 0.2-1.5; 0.3-1.2; such as about 0.5 times the thickness of the shank excluding any ribs. The sole in the forefoot is thinner, softer and with lower top surface compared to the midfoot part of the sole.

(15) FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a complete shoe 1 of the invention, with rubber outsole 9, upper 10 and (not visible) insole, seen from the lateral side. The archroller 8, with the shoe standing unloaded on a flat rigid underlayer, will not reach the underlayer on the lateral side as illustrated, but will on the medial side. By studying FIG. 3, the skilled person may recognize that this is illustrated on FIG. 3. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate this feature clearly. Typically, 2-6 cm, or preferably 3-5 cm of the medial part of the archroller, dependent on shoe size, is contacted by a flat underlayer by walking. In some embodiments of the shoe of the invention, the archroller is therefore not extending over the full length from medial to lateral of the sole, under the foot arch of the user.

(16) The shoe 1 of the invention preferably comprises an archroller 8 and a shank 6, wherein the archroller preferably is integrated in the rubber outsole or arranged between the rubber outsole and the midsole or shank. The archroller is positioned in direction medial to lateral, directly under or slightly in front of the naviculare bone of a typical user with feet fitting the shoe size. Directly under or slightly in front of, in this context means from vertically below to 4 cm in front of the naviculare bone center. Measured along the sole, from heel to front, this corresponds to 30-50% or 35-45%, more precisely 38-40% of the length from heel to front.

(17) The archroller 8 is a conical structure with respect to cross section dimension in vertical direction with the shoe as standing on a horizontal surface. The horizontal cross section dimension is in substance identical or decreasing along the length medial to lateral of the archroller. Alternatively, the vertical and/or archroller cross-section dimension is changed stepwise.

(18) The archroller can be of massive rubber, at least on the medial side. The medial side of a shank, if present, is arranged over the medial side of the archroller.

(19) Preferably, the archroller is integrated into the rubber outsole. Seen from the below or from the sides, the archroller, as integrated in the rubber outsole, extends further down on the medial side compared to the lateral side, as seen in FIG. 3, which includes the archroller 8 in longitudinal section. A general convex curve 12 in the longitudinal direction of the shoe rubber outsole surface, is crossed by 1-5 mm by the archroller 8 on the medial side, as indicated in FIG. 7. A general convex curve 12 in the longitudinal direction of the shoe rubber outsole surface, is lacking 1-5 mm on the lateral side to reach said general curve 12, as indicated in FIG. 6. FIGS. 6 and 7 are simplified, to illustrate only the described feature, and are longitudinal sections somewhat inside the periphery, near the lateral and medial peripheries, respectively.

(20) The cross dimension of the archroller in longitudinal direction of the shoe is in substance identical or is smaller on lateral side compared to medial side. The archroller, combined with the shank, provides a dynamic and progressive support for the user, in that more pronation provides more support, in that the archroller lifts the shank, actually reduce the sinking down of the shank over the archroller, whilst the shank bends down around the archroller in a curve providing comfortable support for the full foot arch, the plantar aponeurosis. The shank must have an appropriate bending stiffness, which is provided by choosing a shank and sole as described. Thereby, so called naviculare drop is reduced or prevented. Also, plantar fasciitis, heelspur and similar problems will be reduced or prevented for most users.

(21) Naviculare drop is biomechanical terminology meaning that the foot arch is extended and pressed down by the weight of the body of the user. Excessive naviculare drop is reduced or prevented by the present invention. Os naviculare lift or lifter is alternative terminology describing the effect, meaning os naviculare lift as compared to the os naviculare drop of traditional walking shoes relative to the shoe of the invention.

(22) On the medial side, the archroller reaches the floor, before the general convex undersole surface curve. The archroller 8 has larger vertical dimension, is higher, on the medial side than the lateral side of the shoe, reaching a flat floor before the general convex curve of the undersole surface.

(23) The sole of the shoe of the invention has a soft elasticity at initial compression by the foot of the user, softer than a traditional walking shoe and similar to the initial softness of a sport shoe with extensive damping. At increasing compression, the elasticity becomes progressively harder, particularly on the medial side of heel and midfoot, and more expressed in the midfoot area than the heel area. The effect, when increasing the weight on the heelbone, is that the resistance to further compression is more expressed on the medial side compared to the lateral side. As a consequence, there is a dynamic progressive resistance against too much inward rotation of the heel bone (biomechanically defined as a heel bone valgus rotation). The torque creates a clockwise rotation for the right foot seen from behind, effecting the vertical orientation of the heelbone as well as the vertical alignment of the achilles tendon, compared to when using a traditional walking shoe or a sport shoe. Excessive heel bone valgus rotation is thereby reduced or prevented. Likewise, when progressing the step from heel impact to midfoot stance, the foot arch is supported by progressively harder elasticity in the midfoot area, under the foot arch and particularly under the medial side thereof, earlier (at less compression) and harder elasticity, providing os naviculare lift. Preferably, the shoe comprises a combination of archroller and shank, whereby the archroller provides increasing force from the underlayer up on the shank at increasing compression, most on the medial side of the midfoot, whilst the shank bends and distribute the force along the foot arch. If the detailed design is as here described, said bending of the shank in substance follows the shape of the foot arch.